The spinner, who took 708 wickets at 25.41 in 145 Test appearances for Australia, is believed to have suffered a heart attack
Australia bowler Shane Warne has died at the age of 52.
The legendary leg-spinner is believed to have suffered a heart attack in Thailand.
A statement from his management said: "Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived.
"The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course."
News of Warne’s death comes just hours after former Australia wicketkeeper Rod Marsh passed away at the age of 74 after suffering a heart attack last week.
Warne won the 1999 Cricket World Cup [Mike Hewitt/Getty Images]
One of the best spinners to grace Test cricket, Warne took 708 wickets at 25.41 in 145 appearances for Australia between 1992 and 2007 and was the first bowler to pass 600 wickets. Three players have since joined him in that club but only Muttiah Muralitharan (800) has surpassed his wicket haul.
A nifty batter, he also scored 3,154 Test runs, including 12 half-centuries and a knock of 99 against New Zealand in 2001.
With the white ball, he took 293 wickets in 194 ODI appearances and won the Cricket World Cup in 1999.
And although his career was plagued with stories of his playboy lifestyle and a ban in 2003 for using a prohibited substance, Warne will be best remembered for bowling the 'Ball of the Century' to dismiss Mike Gatting at Old Trafford on June 4, 1993, his first ball on English soil.
A magician like Shane Warne made our childhood special.
— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) March 4, 2022
He is no more with us today, but his Magic lives on!
Rest in Peace, Legend.pic.twitter.com/5wtg1bx4m8
After making his final international appearance in 2007, Warne continued to play T20 cricket until 2013, representing Rajasthan Royals in the IPL and Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash. He had previously played for Victoria and Hampshire and finished his career with over 1,800 wickets in all formats.
Post-retirement, he worked as a commentator and most recently, served as the head coach of London Spirit during the inaugural season of The Hundred.
Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from across the world with former India opener, Virender Sehwag, commenting: "One of the greatest spinners, the man who made spin cool, superstar Shane Warne is no more. Life is very fragile but this is hard to fathom."
Former England batter Ian Bell added: "There are no words. A hero growing up and the greatest player I ever played against. I can’t believe it."
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Posted by Marc Evans on 08/03/2022 at 01:23
The best exponent of the most difficult cricketing discipline to master. Not just because of his skill set but his sheer force of personality which made facing him so intimidating. Only our very own Lord Botham is on the same planet as a modern giant of the game and there's no way he'll get a state funeral.
Posted by Richard Vaughton on 06/03/2022 at 08:55
Two Shane W memories. 1. His masterclasses on Sky during lunch. 2. His commentary with D Lloyd on Sky whilst talking about Lowerhouse CC, Ryan Harris, Charlie Griffith, Wakes Weeks and watering run-ups. He / they were talking just to me.
Posted by Trevor Payne on 04/03/2022 at 22:17
I saw the ball of the century at Old Trafford although from the side I had no idea of how much it turned. If only we had a Shane about to bowl in the West Indies…
Posted by David on 04/03/2022 at 18:44
The greatest cricketer I ever saw and a great friend to English cricket. I watched him give freely of his time to kids at the Rose Bowl, and explaining to Lancashire members in the pavilion at Old Trafford how to bowl leg spin. The greatest of adversaries, the best cricketer of them all.
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